Captured by Your Kiss

Chapter One Graham Keep,English West March,England, 1542 Lord Ridley Graham searched Graham Keep for his stepmother, growing increasingly frustrated at his fruitless efforts. She was supposed to be watched at all times, but the man he'd set on her had only trembled and whispered that she'd escaped him hours ago and he'd yet to locate her. She was making this too difficult. He'd finally managed to rid himself of his brother and sisters, however temporarily. He'd hoped that without their interference he could finally convince Mona that she truly was better off with him.Stepmother.He nearly sneered at the thought. She was five years younger than his three and thirty and the most exquisite creature he'd ever laid eyes on. He'd never accepted her as his stepmother. Ridley had found her first. He'd wanted her first. But his father had staked his claim, and like everything else, Ridley had been powerless to do aught but stand aside and watch.But his father was dead and he was no longer powerless.He stepped into the cook's garden, the sight of Mona settling his agitated soul. He stood back, wanting only to watch her for now. She'd always shunned the finery Hugh Graham had tried to bestow on her. Even now, when she should be in mourning, she disdained Hugh still. Ridley loved her for it.She wore a dun-colored kirtle smudged with green stains and a forest bodice. The long, creamy sleeves of her shift were rolled to the elbow, and her fine hands encased in leather gloves as she dug industriously in the garden.Her hair, a silken ebony so dark it shone nearly blue in candlelight, was piled on top of her head, fat curls spilling down to nuzzle her cheeks and nestle against her neck. Ridley longed to run a hand over the smooth soft skin of her nape. It called to him and he stepped forward. But he stopped, hands clasped hard behind his back.She would not welcome his touch. She never did. He didn't understand it, though he tried very hard. Part of him wanted to blame it on his father. Hugh had ruined her for all men with his violent lusts. But he knew that wasn't entirely true, for even before Hugh had met Mona, she'd rejected Ridley. And she did not fear his displeasure -- in spite of all Hugh had put her through. She had the heart of a lion and yet she was nothing. A commoner, a widow, a healer. Ridley had lifted her out of her common life and tried to give her something better, and she resented him for it.He was young, handsome, and a lord. Why could she not return his love? He'd given her everything, with promises of more. He worshipped her, treated her like a queen. How could she reject such a life? A life sought after by the daughters of lords, dreamed of by lesser women.As he watched her, she seemed to sense his growing enmity. She turned hesitantly, enormous black eyes resting on him. Pools of deep water at midnight. The long black lashes that framed her eyes made her look innocent, a startled doe, not fully aware of the danger he posed. Her full pink lips tightened imperceptibly. Most wouldn't notice, she guarded her feelings so well, but Ridley had studied her for many years, openly and covertly. Hiding in her chambers to see her naked body. Following her wherever she went. He knew every expression, every blemish, every scar on her body intimately, and yet her heart was closed to him.She didn't rise as respect demanded. Instead, she rubbed her gloves together. Dirt sprinkled to the ground. She removed the gloves methodically, still kneeling in the dirt and herbs, and laid them purposely on her lap."What is it, Ridley?" she asked, not looking at him. She caressed the leaf of a plant with her bare fingers. He would give anything for her to touch him in such a manner."You're hiding from me."He watched her profile for some reaction, but her eyes never left the plant. Her nose was small and straight, her delicate features ethereal in theirHolling, Jen is the author of 'Captured by Your Kiss' with ISBN 9780743438049 and ISBN 0743438043.